What's a Man to Do?

Frankie J.

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 27, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 27, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• Copy Protected
• ASIN: B00009KU6T
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #153,795 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frankie J is Definitely Supposed to Sing- Tight Debut!, July 28, 2003

By	M. J. Moore (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was very surprised upon listening to Frankie J's solo debut. I knew for sure that his hit single, DON'T WANNA TRY, was good but the other songs on the CD are just as great if not better. Another surprise is the fact that Frankie can really sing. His range and vocal abilities are not used to full effect in the hit single but the rest of the CD shows his ablities. His voice is very soulful and light which allows him to do more with his vocals. He has joined the ranks of Smokie Norful, Kevon Edmonds, Jesse Powell, Marc Anthony and Ginuwine as being one of my favorite male singers.

WHAT'S A MAN TO DO?- This slow jam has alot of meat to it. It is a nice start to a pleasing CD. Here, Frankie shows us some of his more urban side. Check out some of the words he uses. The song is really laidback but also has alot of punch to it as well. Also, Frankie lets loose at the end of the song showing how it can be done. A

WON'T CHANGE- This breezy summerish but laidback midtempo is very pleasant overall. The song itself is very interesting and could be a radio release as it is very commercial. I like the end where the chorus is going and Frankie J does one of those vocal breakdowns. It takes some skills to be able to do that as ably as he does. It sounds like something Marques Houston or someone like that would sing and it is very tight. A+

WE STILL- This is one of those poppish kinda ballads but with Frankie's easy and soulful vocals it turns this heartfelt and pleading song around. This is a very calm but also powerful ballad that also says alot about a relationship that is not improving. A

WANNA KNOW- Here is a song that has that very soulful, Quiet Storm beat heavy mellow feel to it. It is a song that has him just asking how things are gonna be. It kinda reminds me of those cool, soulful songs of the 90s that were just free and easy without pretense or even tension. This is definitely a good song. A

DIGGIN' yOUR STYLE- A song that has Frankie confronting a very soulful, New Jack or neosoul vibe. The rap is very tight on this song and as always Frankie's vocals on this midtempo are superb. A-

DON'T WANNA TRY- Radio hit that put Frankie on the map. This is a very good song and I am surprised that radio rightfully reacted positively to it as well as the video outlets. A

JUST THE WAY- Unlike the ballads or slow cuts and the hip midtempos, this is really one of the weakest tracks on the disc. There is not much to complain about with this song but there is also not much to gloat or commend. So, it is adequte and is a nice filler. B+

BE HOME SOON- A ballad that has Frankie just saying that he will be home soon. The heartfelt, written letter feel of the song along with the prominent piano, the lyrics and Frankie's vocals puts this song above what the average singer could do and makes one feel the emotions. This song is great. A+

DRINKS ON ME- Upbeat song that is very beat heavy. It has that club kinda vibe to it with a nice rap and Frankie just saying that the drinks are on him. A-

FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN- Midtempo that is very soulful like always. It definitely sounds like something that is very genuine and heartfelt. I enjoy the song though it is one of the weaker tracks on the disc. A-

YA NO ES IGUAL- Spanish version of DON'T WANNA TRY, this song is very good in the Spanish version with a different tinge or feel to it. A

Overall, the CD is a return to the genuine soul that many people have been craving for. Not the weak but also good stuff that is heard on the radio by a host of people who sound so soulless that they make Frank Sinatra or Barry Manilow or Madonna be the Queens and Kings of Soul comparatively. I was surprised that the CD was this good and that Frankie's voice was also good. Frankie can definitely sing and he helps to close some of the racial stereotypes by showing that not just African-Americans can sing soul music and sing it well. It comes from other things than just race. This is a really commendable, respectful and pleasant effort. Make sure you get this and support Frankie on his future projects.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, Sexy, Talented, Hot Hot Album!, June 8, 2003

By A Customer

This album to me is one of the best out right now. Frankie J, HAS TO BE one of the MOST TALENTED out there, not only can he sing his a** off, he writes AND produces ALL of his material. Let me break this album down for you:

1. "Whats a man to do"- Right off the back great track about a guy and his girl having problems and him dealing with temptation from other girls. A GREAT RnB track, slow but hot.
2. "Wont Change"- Great sound to bop your head to. And for the guys who want to deticate a song to their love to show they appreciate them, this song is it. Also a hot rap from up and coming rapper, Gemini.
3. "Interlude"
4. "We Still"- OMG one of my favorite on the album. Hot, Sexy, RnB song that is sure to be a hit. His voice sounds AMAZING in this one.
5. "Wanna Know"- OOOH nice! Another song you can really deticate to that special person in your life, that will definetely make them love you even more. Also, his pipes in this song sound great.
6. "Diggin' Your Style" - This song is more upbeat, not up-upbeat but enough for you to move your body to. Also a nice little piece from up and coming rapper, Baby Bash, that compliments the song.
7. "Dont Wanna Try"- This is DEFINETELY one of the best songs period. This song just shows simple RnB at work, what in my opinion the music scene has been lacking. There isnt to much to this song, it just showcases the lyrics, the feel, and the AMAZING voice singing it.
8. "Just The Way"- Another great upbeat song on the album. And again in this track we hear Gemini, sounding great.
9. "Be Home Soon"- OMG the SWEETEST song on the album. This is one of those songs that you listen to and feel like he is singing to you. Really the only mushy song on the album, so if you dont like mushy songs, no need to worry this is really the only one.
10. "Drinks On Me"- A great upperbeat dance song you can definetely bop or dance or whatever to. A song to send out to that person you want attention from. Another song Baby Bash is featured in and he sound good.
11. "From The Outside Lookin In"- WOW I would hate to be the girl he wrote this about. A GREAT song. Also, Russell Lee and Ma Minelli sound great on this song and are a great part of the song.
12. "Ya No Es Igual"- AMAZING SPANISH VERSION of "Dont Wanna Try" and the pipes he uses in this song WOW, HE REALLY SINGS...IN THIS ONE!!!!

The Best album you can put in your collection. Definetely one you'll be seriously ADDICTED to. I definetely dont regret buying this album.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great R&B Album, May 29, 2003

By A Customer

I didn't really expect much out of this album. I was expected the usualy generic production and even Ricky Martin, Enrique style of singing. I was surprised and what a great R&B album it really is. It isn't filled with the over produced junk done by The Neptunes or Rodney Jerkins that is passed off as R&B. This song takes it back to a simpler version of R&B. Simple beats, instruments and singing. Frankie's amazingly soulful voice was another pleasant surprise. His great voice is refreshing in a business where very few male singers with great soulful voices are able to make it in the an industry where Justin Timberlake and Nick Carter are the most talked about male "vocalist". Unknown rappers such as Baby Bash are featured on a number of songs on the CD.

The album is great if you are a R&B/Hip Hop fan.